Executive Agreed Agreement was reached between various political parties about the establishment of a power-sharing Executive to govern Northern Ireland. William Whitelaw, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, appeared on the steps of Stormont (with tears in his eyes) following the final negotiations. The Executive was to consist of 11 members.

[The actual composition was to be 6 Faulknerite Unionists, 4 Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), and 1 Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI). There were also to be 4 non-executive office holders who would not have a vote: 2 SDLP, 1 Unionist, and 1 APNI.] [ Political Developments. ]

Thursday 21 November 1974

See Birmingham Pub Bombing

Birmingham Pub Bombs The Irish Republican Army (IRA) planted bombs in two public houses, the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town in Birmingham and killed a total of 21 civilians (two of whom died in the weeks following the explosions).

[There was widespread outrage amongst the general public and the British government came under pressure to be seen to be acting against the threat of further bombs. On 29 November 1974 the Prevention of Terrorism Act was passed. Six Irish men, the ‘Birmingham Six‘, were arrested and convicted of causing the explosions and served 16 years in prison before being freed on appeal on 14 March 1991.]

A Protestant civilian was found shot dead in Belfast. It was not clear who was responsible for the killing.

Wednesday 21 December 1977

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) carried out a series of fire-bomb attacks on hotels in Northern Ireland and damaged five hotels.

Wednesday 21 November 1984

[It was reported that Garret FitzGerald, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), had told a Fine Gael party meeting that the behaviour of Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister, during the press conference on 19 November 1984 had been “gratuitously offensive”. In his autobiography FitzGerald maintained that he was commenting on the fact that he “… recognised that her remarks were seen as gratuitously offensive …” (FitzGerald, 1992; p525).]

Thursday 21 November 1985

In the Republic of Ireland there was a vote in the Dáil on the Anglo-Irish Agreement (AIA). Although Fianna Fáil (FF) voted against the Agreement the motion was passed by 88 votes to 75. Charles Haughey, then leader of FF, said he would not oppose developments that were of benefit to Nationalists living in Northern Ireland.

Friday 21 November 1986

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) held its annual conference in Newcastle, County Down. The delegates rejected Unionist calls for a suspension of the Anglo-Irish Agreement (AIA).

Thursday 21 November 1991

The report of the British Attitudes Survey showed that, of those questioned, 60 per cent were in favour of the withdrawal of British troops from Northern Ireland, and 56 per cent were in favour of the reunification of Ireland.

Sunday 21 November 1993

A rally in support of the Hume-Adams Initiative was held on the Falls Road in west Belfast. Approximately 2,000 attended the event.

Tuesday 21 November 1995

A small bomb, described as a “crude device”, exploded outside the courthouse in Omagh, County Tyrone.

Thursday 21 November 1996

The Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) left a bomb, which failed to explode, in Derry.

Saturday 21 November 1998

For the first time in 28 years Linfield football club, considered a ‘Protestant club’, played at the ground of Cliftonville football club, considered a mainly ‘Catholic club’.

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Remembering all innocent victims of the Troubles

Today is the anniversary of the death of the following people killed as a results of the conflict in Northern Ireland

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die

– Thomas Campbell

To the innocent on the list – Your memory will live forever

– To the Paramilitaries –

There are many things worth living for, a few things worth dying for, but nothing worth killing for.

I could have been killed too if I hadn’t been out drinking the night before, with Thomas Chaytor. I worked at Rackham’s and had popped into the Parisienne for a drink when he came up and started chatting. I didn’t know him very well but he asked if I’d go on his Stag do with him, ( it was a week to his wedding, his fiance worked at Rackham’s too ) there was only us two, so we made the best of it and had a few drinks, tho’ he didn’t get very drunk, he said he had to work at the Mulberry bush the following night and to pop in there for a drink. That was the last I saw of him. Thursday’s were always our late night, we all worked ’til 7pm and usually went out for drinks straight from work. That night I felt too tired after the Stag night with Tom, so went home instead of going to see him for a drink at the Mulberry bush. I heard what happened on the news a little later. Tried ringing but couldn’t get through. The following day I went to work and was in total shock when I heard about Tom and the Mulberry bush, he died days later. I’ve never in my life seen Birmingham so quiet. Thousands of people lining up for buses, milling around, but almost total silence. I haven’t spoken about it till now, if only these monsters realised just how much devastation they’ve really caused. May they rot in hell.